CookieAdventure t1_jeekgtr wrote on March 31, 2023 at 1:22 PM

Married, filing separately is the worst filing status ever. You’re literally losing money.

When you got married, you and your spouse needed to file new W4’s to take into account the combined, family income. Look at the W4 form and follow the instructions.

megarooski3 t1_jeekqkg wrote on March 31, 2023 at 1:24 PM

Thank you-- the person who did our taxes last year (my husband's family friend who previously worked for H&R block), suggested we file married separately because I earn substantially more than he does.

finance_maven t1_jef6wfz wrote on March 31, 2023 at 3:55 PM

Married people who have disparate incomes benefit the most by filing jointly. They were completely wrong telling you that.

CookieAdventure t1_jeenidf wrote on March 31, 2023 at 1:45 PM

H&R Block and TurboTax have bad reputations.

Go to TaxSlayer and try your own taxes both ways (married, filing joint or married, filing separately). You’ll see the difference for yourself.

What they should have advised you was to fill out new W4’s. That’s the easiest solution, especially for two income families.